Railway signaling system.



J. S. HOBSON & L. P. HOWARD.

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24,1911. 1,070,1 30, Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

1 VENTORS JAG/'4 'ATTOR 1.

WITNESSES J. S. HOBSON & L. P. HOWARD RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JAN.24, 1911.

1,070,1 30. V Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES.- WW

A T7013 5 y.

1 7012. I. w. y m as M J. S. HOBSON & L. F. HOWARD.

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1911.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

MMA A A A A I VITNESSES a.

J. S. HOBSON &L. F. HOWARD.

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED 11.24, 1911.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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UNITED STATES T OFFICE.

JOHN S. HOBSON AND LEMUEL F. HOWARD, OF EDGEWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORS TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENN- SYLVANIA, ,A CORPORATION" OF PENNSYI/VANIE. I

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Application filed January 24, 1911'. Serial No. 604,399.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN S. Henson and LEMUIGL F. HOWARD, citizens of the United.

States, residing at Edgewood- Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signaling Systerns, of which the following is a specificati'on'.

Our invention relates to electric signaling ing systems embodying our invention, and

then point out the novel features thereof in claims. i

In the accompanying drawings, Figure'i is a diagraini'ii'atic View showin'g'an electric railway ha v'iiig applied thereto a signaling system embodying our invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are views showingmodifications of our invention. Fig. 4 is a View showing'on' a larger scale one forntof apparatus and cir cuits carried by a car or vehicle and ei'iibo(lying our invention'. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 4 but showing modifications of the apparatus and circuits carried by a car or vehicle andeinbodying our invention.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring now to the first thi-ee views, 10, 1t) designate the track rails of an electric railway. which railway is provided with a source of propulsion current (3; an'da trans mission system comprisinga feed conductor 3. trolley wire or third rail 2, and the irackway of the railway. 5, 5 designate reactain-e-coils connecting the feed wire 3 with the trolley wire or third rail 2. l1 designates a car or vehicle which travels along" the rail 'ay from point to point, and which is provii'leil with a trolley or contact shoe 12 adapted to make electrical contact with the trolley wire or third rail 2. The circuit for the propulsion current. from the source (3 to the car 11 may be traced as follows: from source 6 through teed wire 5), reactaiic-e coil trolley \Vll'OOl' third rail 2, trolley or contact shoe 12, motors and wheels and axles of car 11, track rail or rails 10 to source (S.

The transmission system is divided by inilations in any suitable manner to fOliTl bldck sections. As shown in Fig. l, the track rails 10, 10 are electrically continuous throughout the'length of the system, and the trolley wire or third rail 2 is divided by insu'la tions 9, on) form block sections A, B and C. As shown in F ig. 2, one of the track rails 10 is electrically continuous, and the other track rail'is divided by insnlatioiis 4-1 to foriii block sectionsA, l3 and C, the ti'ol le'y wire or third rail 2 being correspond- J... t L

ingly divided by insulatioiis 9. As shown in Fig. 3, the block sections are formed by fll Viilllig both track ra ls10, 10 by insulations 41, the tract;v rails of each block section being electri'callyrconnected'with the track rails of the ad acent sections by means of re- -actance' bonds 14- having:' electrical connections between their middle points. The trolley wire or third rail 2 is correspondingly divided'as in the preceding views by insi'ilation's 9.

7 designates a source ot altcrnating signaling current connected with mains 8 which extend throughout the system. When the cu'i'i'ei'i't delivered by the source of propulsion c'i'i'ri'e'i'it 6 is direct, this signaling current may be of any desired frequency, but when the propulsion current is alternating, the signaling current is of a. different frequency, preferably higher than that of the propulsion current. For each block section we provide a norn'ially open signal circuit, conip'rising the corresponding section of the third rail or trolley wire E2 and one or both 01" the track rails 10 of the block section. Each of these signal circuits is supplied in a suitable manner with alternating, current from the mains 8, as for example by means o'l tranr-iforiners 13 whose primaries are connected with the mains 8 and whose secondary terminals are connected rcspcctivetv with the trolley wire or third rail 2 and with. one orboth track rails 10. Upon the closing of such open signal circuit, a signal or other indication is given on the car. This open nal circu t may be closed at any desired. point and by any desired means. and the signal or o't'heiindication may be of any desired "yp'e. For exa-niple, in F ig. 1 the open i on munication given on the car or train complrises. a miniature signal 20. In Fig. 2 the ripen signal clrcmt 1s closed by means ot a circuit controller 1.6 operated by a railway signaling device 21. located alongside tlre;

{trackway and preferably. adjacent the en- ;rance end of each block section. The rail- Avay signals 21 may be controlled in any desired manner; for example as shown in Fig. 3 they may be controlled by track relays which are in turn controlled by track circuits for the block sections. C

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the comnninication given to the car er train, comprising means for cutting ott'propulsion current and applying the air brakes when the signaling circuit is open. Another modification shown in Fig. 6 comprises a telegraph instrument 32 for the communication of information or signals to the car or train.

I Still another modification shown in Fig. 7

comprises a lamp ll) carried by the car or train and adapted to be illuminated when the signalcircuit is closed.

Each car ortrain ll is provided with an ele:tro-translative device 40, connected in circuit with the wheels and axles and the trolley or contact shoe l2, for example by connecting it in shunt circuit around the motor 30 as shown more clearly in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

l5 and 17 are condensers connected in circuitwith the secondaries of the transformers l3 and with the electro-translative devices -l-0 respectively. for the purpose of preventing the tlow of propulsion current through the signal circuit and through the translative devices when the propulsion current is direct, and for limiting the flow to an inappreciable ampunt when the propulsion cur rentis alternatin it will be evident from the foregoing description that when a car or train enters a block section, the electro-translative device may ccinplete the open signal circuit and thus be operated by the signaling current supplied to the/signal circuit.

The electro-translative device 40 may be o'tayiy desired character and may be employel to give any desired type of signal on the ear. Asshown in Figs. 1 to 6 this device is an clectro-magnetic relay. This relay is constructed to respond to the alternating signaling current in its control of a signal ing device, and when the propulsion Clll'lClt is alternating, the relay is COllritlllCl'lal. to respond to current of the frequency of the signaling current andnot to current of the freowncy of the propulsion current As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, an armature 1.8 of the relay 40 is employed to control a circuit 19 for a n'iiniature signal device 20 carried by the car. in Fig. 5, an arn'iature 18 ot the relay 4() is included in the circuit of the pro 'mlsion current tor the car motors ill), and

another armature 18" ot the same relay 1s included in circuit with an electro-magnetic valve device which controls the application of air brakes to the car. As here shown, the propulsion circuit is closed and the brakes held releasedcnly while the relay 4() is energized, but \vedo not desire to limit ourselves to this specific arrangement oi? control. "hen desirable, the relay ll) in any of the arrangements shown may be eta slou acting type as indicated in Figlo in order to prevent its armature or armaturcs fron'i opening and thus operat ing the signaling devices controlled thereby when the canpasses an insulation in the transmission systen'i; that is, the relay may be so emistructcd as to hold its armature closed for a suitable period of time after the opening ot the energizing or signalcinruit. Several. methods l'or accon'iplishing this purpose are well known in the art. and need not be explained here. The arrangements shown 'in Fig. 8 is in other respects similar to that shown in Fig. l.

In Fig. (3, thearmature 18 cit the relay it) controls the circuit of a. telegraph instrument 32 or other similar device for the transmission ot signals to a. car or train. in Fig. 7, the electro-translative device 40 is a lamp which may be employed to transmit signals of any desired nature to the Inotorman or other person on the car or train.

it will be evident that when the gua-l. cir cuits ai o controlled by circuit controllers operated by fixed signals located along the trackway, the indications of the fixed signals will be repeated by the miniature signal2t) carried by the car, thus avoiding the necessity for fixed distant signals, and providing a means for indicating to a person on a car the positions of the lixed signals during foggy weather.

Whenever we have in any of the claims used the phrase a car traveli g along the railway or as the 'car travels along the railway. it will be understoml of course that such phrases do not mean that the car must necessarily be moving at all times in order to come within the scope of our invention. Obviously signals may be communicated to a car at any point along the railway, and irrespective of whether the car is moving or standing still. Also ivhemwver we have used the term electr'trtranslative device it is to be, considered as a term broad enough to cover either a signaling device of any nature, or amcdium by which a local circuit may l)0'.011l'l'0ll0(l, which local circuit may in lude any type oi signaling device, such For example as a miniature signal. an electric light, a telegraph mstrmnent, or a deion vice for controlling the propulsion power and the air brakes of a car.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In an electric railway, a source of propulsion current, a transmission system therefor formed in part by an outgoing feeder conductor, a third rail or trolley, and the trackway of the railway; a plurality of block sections formed by insulations in the transmission system, a source of alternating signal current, open signal circuits each including the third rail or trolley and a track rail of a block section, a car traveling along the railway, a contactcarried by said car for engagement with the third rail or trolley, an electro-translative device carried by said car and connected with the wheels and axles and the contact thereof; and adapted to close-the open signal circuits as the car travels along the railway whereby the said translative device is operated, and means located along the railway for controlling the open signal circuits.-

2. In an electric railway, a source of propulsion current, a transmission system therefor formed'in part'by an outgoing feeder conductor, a third rail or trolley, and the trackway of the railway; a plurality of block sections formed by insulations in the transmission system, a source of alternating signal current, an open signal circuit for each block section formed by connecting the sourceof alternating signal current with g the third rail or trolley and a track rail of the block section, a car traveling along the railway, a contact carried by said car for engagement with the third rail or trolley; an electro-translative device carried by said car and connected with the wheels and axlesand the contaet thereof, and adapted to close the open signal circuits as the car travels along the railway whereby the said translative device is operated, and means located along the railway for controlling the "3'. In an electric railway, a source of propulsion current, a transmission system therefor formed in art by an out oing feeder conductor, a third rail or trol ey, and the trackway of the railway; a plurality of block sections formed by insulations in the transmission system, a source of alternating signal current, an open signal circuit for each block section formed by connecting the source of alternating current with the third rail or trolley and a track rail of the block section, a car traveling along the railway, a

r. in

emit-act carried by said car and adapted for engagement with the third rail or trolley;

an .electro-translative device carried by the v canandconnected with the wheels and axles .jjand ,contact thereof, and adapted to close each open signal circuit as the car travels alongffihe railway whereby the translative device is operated by the alternating signal ing current, and means located along'the railway for controlling the open signal circuits.

4. In an electric railway, a source of propulsion current, a transmission system therefor formed in part by an outgoing feeder conductor, a third rail or trolley, and the trackway of the railway; a plurality of block sections formed by insulations in the transmission system, a source of alternating signal current, an open signal circuit for ,each block section formed by connecting the source of alternating current with the third rail or trolley and a track rail of the block section, a car traveling along the railway, a contact carried by said car and adapted for engagement with the third rail or trolley, an electro-translative device carried by the car and connected with the wheels .and axles and contact thereof, and adapted to close each open signal circuit as the car travels along the railway whereby the translative device islli' erated by -the alternating signaling cifl'rent, a signal device carried by the car and controlled by the electro-translative device, and means located along the railway for controlling the open signal circuits and for thereby controlling the signal device carried by the 'car.

5. In an electric railway, a source of propulsion current, a transmission system therefor formed in part by an outgoing feeder conductor, a third rail or trolley, and the trackway of the railway; a plurality of block sections formed by insulations in the transmission system, a source of alternating signal current, an open signal circuit for each block section comprising the third rail or trolley and a track rail of the said section, means for impressing'the said signal current on said open signal circuit, a car traveling along the railway, a contact carried by said car for engaging the third rail or trolley; an electro-t-ranslat-ive device carried by the car and connected with the wheels and axles and the contact thereof whereby the said device may close each open signal cir cuit as the .car travels along the railway and may be operated by the signaling current supplied to said circuit, and circuit controllers located along the railway for controlling the open signal circuits and there by controlling the electro-translative device carried by the car.

6. In an electric railway, a power transmission system comprising a third rail or trolley and the trackway of the railway; a plurality of block sections formed by in-- sulations in the transmission system, an open signal circuit for each blocktsection formed in part by the third rail or} trolley and a traclr rail of'the block sectionfa source of signaling current, means for fsu plying the'signaling current to each signal circuit,

.1 a car traveling along the railway, a contact carried by said car For engagement with the third rail or trolley; an electrodranslativc device. carried by the car and connected with the wheels and axles and with the contact thereof, and adapted to complete the open signal circuits as the ca r proceeds along the railway whereby said device may he energized 't'1'o1n the said signal circuits, and lllttllS located along the. rail 'ay tor controlling the signal circuits.

7. ln an electric railway, a power transmission system comprising a third rail or trolley and the tracltway ol? the rail 'ay, a plurality (1t lJlOth sections l'orined hy insulations in the transmission system, an open signal circuit tor each block section Formed in part by the third rail or trolley and a track rail of the l)l()tfli section, a source, of signalingcurrent, a. transl'oriner for each. hloclt; section having its primary connected with the source oli signaling current and its secondary with the signal circuit of the hlocl; section, a car traveling along the railway, a contact carried by said ,car for engagement with the third rail or trolley; an elect ro'-t1ranslativc device carried by the car and connected with the wheels and axles and with the contact thereoli, and adapted to complete the open signal circuits as the car proceeds along the railway wherehy saith device may he energized from the said signal circuits, and means located along the railway for c01;1trolling the signal circuits.

8. In an electric railway, a transmission system con'iprising a third rail or trolley and a traelc rail of the railway, a plurality ot block sections torin'ed by insulations in the transmission system, a source ot' alternating signaling current, a transtormer for each block section having its primary con nected with the source of signaling current and its secondary terminals connected respcctively with the third rail or trolley and with a track rail of the l)lt)(il{ section, a car traveling along the railway, a contact carried by the. car for engagement with the third rail or trolley; an electro translative device carried by the car and connected with the wheels and axles and the contact thereof, and adapted to he energized by the signal current of the block sections, and a circuit controller for each block section locatedalong the railway for controlling the sup ply of Signaling currert. tor the block sew tions. a

9. In combination an electric comprising tra k rails and :1 third rail or trolley wire, isolated track circuits each formed in part by sections of the two track rails of the railway, a. source of signaling current for each of said track circuits, visual signals controlled there tron1, a vehicle. travellng along the railway, a signaling device carried by the Vtllltflc, lltilitltllly open circurrent, one source railway l torin hoth sides, a source ot signaling ureuits torzned in part by the track rails of the tracltway and the third ail or trolley wire, a source ot signaling current for each. ot said cir uits and having a path through the vehicle tor operating the signaling deviceoti the vehicle, and means for control ling said open circuits o .1erated loy the visual signals.

- it). in an electric rail '11 propulsion and signal system, roadway signals and cat) nals carried by vehicles, -al1 signal controlling devices on the vehicles, three sources of for propelling Vehicles traveling along the railway, one .lor controlling the roadway signals and one for controlling the cal.) signals; the second and third sources (littering in character from the first source; three sets of circuits namely a propulsion circuit, roadway signal controlling circuits and cab signal controlling circuits, said circuits comprising two sets of conductors, namely, a third rail. or trolley and the tracltway, the third rail or trolley constituting a part of the first and third of said circuits and the track rails constituting a part ot all three circuits; means on the vehicle l'or preventing the propulsion current l'roni passing and for permitting the -alo signal controlling current to pass through the cal) signal controlling device; insulations l'or isolating the roadway signal controlling circuits and means for rendering the trackway continuous tor the power current. and for the signaling current operating the sig" n l device on a vehicle.

1].. ln (ftlllllllllltlltm a railway, a source at power current tun-1 1111111 3 traveling there along, a power transmission system t'or said source comprising a :hird rail or trolley and the tl':\t'l(\\2l ol the railway, signal control ling track circuits t which the rails ot the tracl'way t'oriu liot'n sides, a source of signal ing current tor each ol' 'wllltl track circuits, visual signals controlled theretronn a vehicle, a signaling device carried thcreh v, norn1all v open signaling circuits t'ornietl in part l y the track rails, the t' d rail or trolley and the vehicle, and a source ot signaling current For each o'l said open signaling --ir cnits wherehy the signaling tlt'\'1't1- c: ied by the vehicle may lit perated as the vehicle travels along the railway. t l). ln con1l1ination a railway. a source of lhnvtl t'llll'tltl, ll l lt d tl' i 'll lF-ltllSrltlil l-lXSltll l theret'or comprising a third rail or trolley and the traeltway ot' the railway. si jnal controlling truck-circuits of which the rails rent for each ot said traelt circuits. t. signaling devices located along the railway and controlled hy the signaling cuir ni in the tracl circuits. :1 vehicle. travelin 3 the ailway. an cle-utro-traindaling tier cairied hy the vehicl tor giving a r 1 1 1 the. driver thcreol', normally open signal cults of which the third rail or trolley and the trackway of the railway each form one side, a source of signaling current tor each normally open signal circuit and a contact device carried by the car adapted to complete the open signal circuits successively as the car proceeds along the railway whereby said electro-translative device may be operated, and means operated by the visual signaling devices for controlling the normally open circuits.

13. In an electric railway, a power transmission system comprising a third rail or trolley and the trackway of the railway; a plurality of bloclt sections formed by correlated insulations in the two sides of the transmission system; signal means along the railway associated with each insulated block section of the track rails; an open signal circuit for each' block formed in part by the third rail or trolley and a track rail of the block section; a source of signaling current;

means for supplying the signaling current to each signal circuit; a car traveling along the railway; a contact carried by said car for engagement with the third rail or trolley; an electro translative device carried by the car, connected with the wheels'and with the contact device thereof and adapted to receive the current from said source of signaling current as the car proceeds along the railway, whereby said device may be energized from successive insulated sections; and means operated by said fixed signal devices controlling'the operation of said signal circuits.

let. In an electric railway; a power transmitting system comprising a third rail or trolley and the tracltway of the railway; signal controlling track circuits of which the rails form both sides; signaling devices along the railway controlled by said track circuits, normally open signal circuits of which the trackway and the third rail or trolley each form one side; means for supplying signaling current to each normally open signal circuit; a car traveling along the track way; a contact carried by said car .for engagement with the third rail or trolley; an electro-translative device carried by the car and connected with the wheels and axles and with the contact device thereof and adapted to complete the open signal circuits successively as the car proceeds alongthe railway, whereby said device may be energized from the saidsignal circuits; and means operated by said track circuit signal ing devices for controlling the normally open signal circuits.

15. In an electric railway a trackway divided into block sections and a third rail or trolley also divided into block sections; inductive connections rendering said trackway and third rail or trolley respectively capable of transmitting power currents, but of isolating signal currents; a closed signal circuit for each block of which the trackway rails constitute both sides an open signal circuit for each block of which the trackway and the third rail or trolley each constitute one side; means for supplying signaling current to both of sai signal circuits;.a car traveling along the trackway; a contact device carried by said car; an electro -translative device connected between the wheels and contact device of said car; and means controlled by said closed signal circuits for controlling said open signal circuits and the electro-transla-tive device when' connected therein by the presence of the car.

In testimony whereof we allixour signatures in rescnce of two witnesses.

JOHN S. HOBSON. LEMUEL F. HOWARD.

l/Vitnesses:

GORWIN C. WHITE; JAMES CHALMERs, Jr. 

